Date Paste [ Dairy free, Gluten free, Grain free, Sugar free]

Date paste is a natural fruit sweetener that you can use in the place of honey and other sweeteners in recipes. Dates are nutritious and are a healthy alternative to sugar but should be used in moderation due to it's high natural fructose content, and should be regarded as the same as an ingredient that has a high sugar content.

 

I often make reference to date paste as the alternative to raw honey or sugar in my selected recipes, having used it successfully in recipes, including salad dressings.  Used in moderation due to its' very high glycaemic index and load, it provides a natural , unprocessed sweetness required to add taste to baked treats, and can be used with apple cider vinegar to create a sweet-sour sauce that some stir fry recipes require. 

 

Mindful that dates are, per se, a whole food and can be classed as 'Paleo', but should always be put in context of your lifestyle and carb tolerance.  So dates should be limited to post-workout, the occasional treat and perhaps on activities where you're very active.

 

 

Ingredients

2 cups pitted medjool or organic dates, you my chop them if preferred
2 cups water

Here's How

 

• Soak 2 cups of dates in 2 cups of water overnight.

• Remove the dates from the water and set the water aside.

• Puree  the dates in a food processor or blender.

• Add a few tablespoons of soaking water to the date puree and continue to blend.
• Blend until the date paste is creamy.
• Add more soaking water as needed  to make a thick creamy paste

• Store in an air tight container.

The date paste will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator or  if you prefer freezing some, it will store well for 3 months